Method and device for stabilizing a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A method of stabilizing a vehicle involving the following steps is described: recording characteristic actual values that describe the driving condition of a vehicle; determining setpoint values that are at least partially assigned to the actual values; comparing actual values and setpoint values and influencing actual values based on comparison results, one of the recorded actual values being characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle, and one of the setpoint values being assigned to the recorded actual value that is characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle. A device for stabilizing a vehicle is also described.

The present invention relates to a method of stabilizing a vehicle including the steps: recording characteristic actual values that describe the driving condition of a vehicle, determining setpoint values that are at least partially assigned to the actual values, comparing actual values and setpoint values and influencing actual values based on comparison results. The present invention also relates to a device for stabilizing a vehicle having means for recording characteristic values that describe the driving condition of a vehicle, means for determining setpoint values that are at least partially assigned to the actual values, means for comparing actual values and setpoint values and means for influencing actual values based on comparison results.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Methods and devices according to the definition of the species are used in systems intended to increase driving safety based on vehicle dynamics. For example, the electronic stability program (ESP) gives the driver of a vehicle both improved basic functions with respect to the anti-lock brake system (ABS) and the anti-slip control (ASC), both systems acting primarily in situations critical to longitudinal dynamics. Examples of this include full braking and severe accelerations. The electronic stability program (ESP) also supports the driver in situations critical to transverse dynamics. The system improves driving stability in all operating states, i.e., in full braking, partial braking, free rolling, traction, thrust and load reversal as soon as an extreme driving situation occurs. Even in extreme steering maneuvers, the electronic stability program (ESP) drastically reduces the danger of swerving and largely makes it possible to keep the automobile under safe control even in critical traffic situations.

To regulate vehicle dynamics, it is known to use the float angle of the vehicle and the yaw rate of the vehicle as controlled variables. The consideration of these controlled variables makes it possible to largely eliminate the danger of swerving.

However, in addition to the danger of swerving, there also exists the danger that a vehicle will roll over due to extreme driving maneuvers. This applies all the more considering that more and more passenger cars are being offered that have a comparatively short wheelbase and a high center of gravity. The problem of the danger of rollover exists in commercial vehicles in any case.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The invention builds on the method of the definition of the species in that one of the recorded actual values is characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle and one of the setpoint values is assigned to the recorded actual value that is characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle. In this manner, the roll state of the vehicle is also taken into consideration as part of a known vehicle dynamics control, thus making it possible to prevent a rollover of a vehicle even having a high center of gravity and a short wheelbase and under extreme driving maneuvers.

Preferably, one of the recorded actual values is the yaw rate and one of the setpoint values is assigned to the yaw rate. It is thus advantageously possible to combine the regulation of the roll state according to the present invention with the regulation of the yaw rate already known as part of the electronic stability program (ESP).

It is also advantageous if one of the recorded actual values is the float angle and if one of the setpoint values is assigned to the float angle. It is thus possible to combine the regulation of the roll state according to the present invention with the regulation of the float angle, the latter being known from the electronic stability program (ESP). It is advantageous in particular if the yaw rate regulation, float angle regulation and the regulation of the roll state are integrated in one system.

It is advantageous that the roll angle is the actual value that is characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle. It is thus possible to measure the roll angle directly and to record the roll state of the vehicle in this manner.

However, it may also be useful if a pressure change in an air spring of the vehicle is the value that is characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle. Commercial vehicles in particular are frequently equipped with air springs so that it is advantageously possible to use the pressure change for recording the roll state.

Preferably, setpoint values are determined from the input values of vehicle speed and steering angle. The input values of vehicle speed and steering angle are also already used in the known electronic stability program (ESP) so that it is also of particular advantage to use these values as input values in the context of the present invention to determine the setpoint value that is characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle.

Preferably, actual values are influenced by braking interventions and/or engine interventions. This is also already known in the electronic stability program (ESP), for example, for the yaw rate. It is also possible to influence the actual value that is characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle in an advantageous manner by braking interventions and/or engine interventions.

Preferably the roll angle is influenced by an actuator. This influencing may occur in addition to or as an alternative to the influencing of the braking system and/or the engine so that numerous measures based on the present invention are available with respect to a rollover prevention.

It is useful to implement the method of the present invention in a vehicle combination for the roll regulation of the tractor vehicle and trailer or semitrailer. It is thus possible, for example, to prevent a rollover for the individual parts of a vehicle combination independently, which is useful in particular with respect to the rocking motion of truck trailers or mobile homes towed by passenger cars.

The invention builds on the device of the definition of the species in that one of the recorded actual values is characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle and one of the setpoint values is assigned to the recorded actual value that is characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle. In this manner, the roll state of the vehicle is also taken into consideration as part of a known vehicle dynamics control, thus making it possible to prevent a rollover of a vehicle even having a high center of gravity and a short wheelbase and under extreme driving maneuvers.

Preferably, one of the recorded actual values is the yaw rate and one of the setpoint values is assigned to the yaw rate. It is thus advantageously possible to combine the regulation of the roll state according to the present invention with the regulation of the yaw rate already known as part of the electronic stability program (ESP).

It is also useful if one of the actual values of the present invention is the float angle and if one of the setpoint values is assigned to the float angle. It is thus possible to combine the regulation of the roll state according to the present invention with the regulation of the float angle, the latter being known from the electronic stability program (ESP). It is advantageous in particular if the yaw rate regulation, float angle regulation and the regulation of the roll state are integrated in one system.

It is useful that means are provided for measuring the roll angle and that the roll angle is the actual value that is characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle. It is thus possible to measure the roll angle directly and to record the roll state of the vehicle in this manner.

It may also be advantageous that means are provided for measuring the pressure in an air spring of the vehicle and that a pressure change is the actual value that is characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle. Commercial vehicles in particular are frequently equipped with air springs so that it is advantageously possible to use the pressure change for recording the roll state.

It is advantageous in particular that means are provided for measuring the vehicle speed, that means are provided for measuring the steering angle and that setpoint values are determined from the input values of vehicle speed and steering angle. The input values of vehicle speed and steering angle are also already used in the known electronic stability program (ESP) so that it is also of particular advantage to use these values as input values in the context of the present invention to determine the setpoint value that is characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle.

Advantageously, means are provided for influencing the braking system and/or the engine, and actual values are influenced by braking interventions and/or engine interventions. This is also already known in the electronic stability program (ESP), for example, for the yaw rate. It is also possible to influence the actual value that is characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle in an advantageous manner by braking interventions and/or engine interventions.

It may also be useful that an actuator is provided and that the roll angle is influenced by an actuator. This influencing may occur in addition to or as an alternative to the influencing of the braking system and/or the engine so that numerous measures based on the present invention are available with respect to a rollover prevention.

It is of particular advantage that multiple roll regulation devices are provided for the tractor vehicle and for a trailer or a semitrailer in a vehicle combination. It is thus possible, for example, to prevent a rollover for the individual parts of a vehicle combination independently, which is useful in particular with respect to the rocking motion of truck trailers or mobile homes towed by passenger cars.

The invention is based on the knowledge that the additional regulation of the roll state of a vehicle within an already known electronic stability program makes it possible to achieve particularly high driving safety.

DRAWINGS

The invention will now be explained using preferred embodiments as examples with reference to the appended drawing in which:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram to explain a first embodiment of the invention and

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram to explain a second embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

A block diagram is shown in FIG. 1 to explain a first embodiment of the invention. The input values of vehicle speed v and steering angle δ are fed to means 10 for determining a setpoint value. These means 10 for determining a setpoint value are based on a reference model which, among other things, takes the roll angle of the vehicle into consideration. Details of the reference model are discussed further below. As its output value, the reference model has a setpoint roll angle φ_(setpoint). This setpoint roll angle φ_(setpoint) is one of the input values of a closed-loop control circuit. The other input value is φ_(actual). As a result of the comparison or subtraction of the values φ_(setpoint) and φ_(actual) in means 12, the comparison result is supplied to roll regulator 14. This roll regulator 14 delivers an output value to means 16 to influence the actual value. These means may, for example, exert an influence on the braking system, the engine or on a roll angle control. The output value of the closed-loop control circuit, which directly regulates roll angle φ in the present example, is then fed back to means 12 as φ_(actual) to compare actual values and setpoint values. This roll angle regulation described in simplified form using the present exemplary embodiment may accordingly be expanded to include the regulation of other values, for example, the yaw rate or the float angle. In order to take transient events into consideration, an expansion of the system may involve a 1^(st) or 2^(nd) order lowpass.

As mentioned above, the means for determining setpoint values make use of a reference model, which now advantageously takes the roll angle into consideration in addition to the float angle and the yaw rate. This reference model is based on the differential equation system shown below in Equation 1 $\begin{matrix} {\begin{bmatrix} {{m \cdot v},} & {0,} & {m_{s} \cdot h} \\ {0,} & {I_{z},} & {- I_{xy}} \\ {{m_{s} \cdot h \cdot v},} & {{- I_{xy}},} & I_{x} \end{bmatrix} \cdot {\quad{\begin{bmatrix} \overset{.}{\beta} \\ \overset{¨}{\psi} \\ \overset{¨}{\phi} \end{bmatrix} = {{\begin{bmatrix} {Y_{\beta},} & {{Y_{\psi} - {m \cdot v}},} & {0,} & Y_{\phi} \\ {N_{\beta},} & {N_{\psi},} & {0,} & N_{\phi} \\ {0,} & {{m_{s} \cdot h \cdot v},} & {L_{p},} & L_{\phi} \end{bmatrix} \cdot \begin{bmatrix} \beta \\ \psi \\ \overset{.}{\phi} \\ \phi \end{bmatrix}} + {\quad{\begin{bmatrix} Y_{\delta} \\ N_{\delta} \\ 0 \end{bmatrix} \cdot \delta}}}}}} & (1) \end{matrix}$

The following relations apply: Y_(β) = −C_(f) − C_(r) $Y_{\psi} = \frac{{{- a} \cdot C_{f}} + {b \cdot C_{r}}}{v}$ Y_(δ) = C_(f) N_(β) = −a ⋅ C_(f) + b ⋅ C_(r) $N_{\psi} = \frac{{{- a^{2}} \cdot C_{f}} + {b^{2} \cdot C_{r}}}{v}$ N_(δ) = a ⋅ C_(f)

The symbols used in the equations have the following meaning:

-   -   N_(φ): roll-steer influence,     -   L_(φ): roll stiffness,     -   L_(φ): roll damping,     -   β: float angle,     -   ψ: yaw angle,     -   φ: roll angle,     -   δ: wheel steering angle,     -   a, b: distance from vehicle center of gravity to front axle or         rear axle,     -   h: height of center of gravity,     -   m: vehicle mass (s: movable body mass relative to chassis)     -   I: mass moment of inertia (z: vertical axis, x: roll axis, xy:         deviation torque),     -   v: vehicle speed,     -   c: lateral tire stiffness (f: front, r: rear).

The stationary solution of these equations delivers a reference model for the vehicle yaw rate and the degree of roll freedom: $\begin{matrix} {{\frac{\overset{.}{\psi}}{\delta} = \frac{L_{\phi} \cdot \left( {{N_{\beta} \cdot Y_{\delta}} - {N_{\delta} \cdot Y_{\beta}}} \right)}{\begin{matrix} {{L_{\phi} \cdot \left( {{m \cdot v \cdot N_{\beta}} - {N_{\beta} \cdot Y_{\psi}} + {N_{\psi} \cdot Y_{\beta}}} \right)} +} \\ {m_{s} \cdot h \cdot v \cdot \left( {{N_{\phi} \cdot Y_{\beta}} - {N_{\beta} \cdot Y_{\phi}}} \right)} \end{matrix}}}{\frac{\phi}{\delta} = \frac{m_{s} \cdot h \cdot v \cdot \left( {{N_{\beta} \cdot Y_{\delta}} - {N_{\delta} \cdot Y_{\beta}}} \right)}{\begin{matrix} {{L_{\phi} \cdot \left( {{m \cdot v \cdot N_{\beta}} - {N_{\beta} \cdot Y_{\psi}} + {N_{\psi} \cdot Y_{\beta}}} \right)} +} \\ {m_{s} \cdot h \cdot v \cdot \left( {{N_{\phi} \cdot Y_{\beta}} - {N_{\beta} \cdot Y_{\phi}}} \right)} \end{matrix}}}} & (2) \end{matrix}$

The setpoint yaw rate {dot over (ψ)}=ƒ(δ,νƒ) is thus obtained as a function of the steering angle and the vehicle speed, vf being a speed value which describes the speed in longitudinal direction. In a comparable manner, a setpoint roll angle φ=ƒ(δ,νƒ), is obtained which is also a function of the steering angle and speed value vf.

If no explicit measurement of the roll angle is available, it is nonetheless possible to implement an indirect roll angle regulation through the measurement of other values that characterize a roll movement of the vehicle. However, this requires a corresponding adaptation of the reference model to the particular measured value used.

FIG. 2 shows an example of indirect roll regulation. In means 10 for determining setpoint values, a modified reference model is used, which is explained in detail further below. In this case, a pressure change Δp is used as a controlled variable, pressure values measured in air springs of commercial vehicles, for example, being used. A modified reference model, which takes the pressure change dynamics into consideration, is used as a reference model. This is described in detail further below. The output signal of a subtraction 12 is supplied to roll regulator 14, the difference between a value Δp_(setpoint), which is an output value of means 10, and a measured value Δp_(actual), which is the output value of the closed-loop control circuit, being formed. The roll regulator outputs an output signal to means 16 to influence the actual values. In turn, these means may include the braking system, the engine control or special actuator technology to influence the roll angle.

The reference model is based on the following differential equation system: $\begin{matrix} {{\begin{bmatrix} {{m \cdot v},} & {0,} & {{m_{s} \cdot h},} & 0 \\ {0,} & {I_{z},} & {{- I_{xy}},} & 0 \\ {{m_{s} \cdot h \cdot v},} & {{- I_{xy}},} & {I_{x},} & 0 \\ {0,} & {0,} & {0,} & 1 \end{bmatrix} \cdot \begin{bmatrix} \overset{.}{\beta} \\ \overset{¨}{\psi} \\ \overset{¨}{\phi} \\ {\Delta\quad\overset{.}{p}} \end{bmatrix}} = {\quad{\begin{bmatrix} {Y_{\beta},} & {{Y_{\psi} - {m \cdot v}},} & {0,} & {Y_{\phi},} & 0 \\ {N_{\beta},} & {N_{\psi},} & {0,} & {N_{\phi},} & 0 \\ {0,} & {{m_{s} \cdot h \cdot v},} & {L_{p},} & {L_{\phi},} & {\overset{\sim}{A}}_{k} \\ {0,} & {0,} & {Q_{\overset{.}{\phi}},} & {Q_{\phi},} & Q_{\Delta\quad p} \end{bmatrix} \cdot \begin{bmatrix} \beta \\ \overset{.}{\psi} \\ \overset{.}{\phi} \\ \phi \\ {\Delta\quad p} \end{bmatrix} \cdot \begin{bmatrix} Y_{\delta} \\ N_{\delta} \\ 0 \\ 0 \end{bmatrix} \cdot \delta}}} & (3) \end{matrix}$

This differential equation system has the stationary solution: $\begin{matrix} {{\frac{\overset{.}{\psi}}{\delta} = \frac{L_{\phi} \cdot \left( {{N_{\beta} \cdot Y_{\delta}} - {N_{\delta} \cdot Y_{\beta}}} \right)}{\begin{matrix} {{L_{\phi} \cdot \left( {{m \cdot v \cdot N_{\beta}} - {N_{\beta} \cdot Y_{\psi}} + {N_{\psi} \cdot Y_{\beta}}} \right)} +} \\ {m_{s} \cdot h \cdot v \cdot \left( {{N_{\phi} \cdot Y_{\beta}} - {N_{\beta} \cdot Y_{\phi}}} \right)} \end{matrix}}}{\frac{\phi}{\delta} = \frac{m_{s} \cdot h \cdot v \cdot \left( {{N_{\beta} \cdot Y_{\delta}} - {N_{\delta} \cdot Y_{\beta}}} \right)}{\begin{matrix} {{L_{\phi} \cdot \left( {{m \cdot v \cdot N_{\beta}} - {N_{\beta} \cdot Y_{\psi}} + {N_{\psi} \cdot Y_{\beta}}} \right)} +} \\ {m_{s} \cdot h \cdot v \cdot \left( {{N_{\phi} \cdot Y_{\beta}} - {N_{\beta} \cdot Y_{\phi}}} \right)} \end{matrix}}}{\frac{\Delta\quad p}{\delta} = \frac{{- {\overset{\sim}{A}}_{k}} \cdot m_{s} \cdot h \cdot v \cdot \left( {{N_{\beta} \cdot Y_{\delta}} - {N_{\delta} \cdot Y_{\beta}}} \right)}{\begin{matrix} {{\overset{\sim}{Q}}_{p} \cdot \left( {{L_{\phi} \cdot \left( {{m \cdot v \cdot N_{\beta}} - {N_{\beta} \cdot Y_{\psi}} + {N_{\psi} \cdot Y_{\beta}}} \right)} +} \right.} \\ \left. {m_{s} \cdot h \cdot v \cdot \left( {{N_{\phi} \cdot Y_{\beta}} - {N_{\beta} \cdot Y_{\phi}}} \right)} \right) \end{matrix}}}} & (4) \end{matrix}$

The values Q, {tilde over (Q)}, Ã are linearization coefficients, which relate to pneumatic values such as flow coefficients and piston cross section. These linearization coefficients are used for a linearized approximation in solving the largely non-linear differential equations relating to the pressure change dynamics in an air spring.

Thus a setpoint pressure change Δp=f(δ, vf) is specified as a function of the steering angle and of the value vf, which characterizes the speed in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, it is possible to set up a pressure regulation, which acts indirectly on the degree of roll freedom.

The above description of the exemplary embodiments according to the present invention is only intended to illustrate and not to limit the invention. Various changes and modifications are possible within the context of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention and its equivalents. 

1. A method of stabilizing a vehicle, comprising: recording characteristic actual values that correspond to a driving condition of the vehicle; determining setpoint values that are at least partially assigned to the characteristic actual values; comparing the characteristic actual values and the setpoint values; and influencing the characteristic actual values based on comparison results; wherein one of the characteristic actual values is characteristic of a roll state of the vehicle and one of the setpoint values is assigned to one of the characteristic actual values that is characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle, and wherein a pressure change in an air spring of the vehicle is one of the characteristic actual values that is characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the characteristic actual values is a float angle and one of the setpoint values is assigned to the float angle.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein setpoint values are determined from input values of a vehicle speed and a steering angle.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic actual values are influenced by at least one of a braking intervention and an engine intervention.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is implemented in a vehicle combination for roll regulating a tractor vehicle and one of a trailer and a semitrailer.
 6. A device for stabilizing a vehicle, comprising: a first arrangement to record characteristic actual values that correspond to a driving condition of the vehicle; a second arrangement to determine setpoint values that are at least partially assigned to the characteristic actual values; a third arrangement to compare the characteristic actual values and the setpoint values; a fourth arrangement to influence the characteristic actual values based on comparison results; and a fifth arrangement to measure a pressure in an air spring of the vehicle; wherein one of the characteristic actual values is characteristic of a roll state of the vehicle, and one of the setpoint values is assigned to one of the characteristic actual values that is characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle, and wherein a pressure change in the air spring is one of the characteristic actual values that is characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein one of the characteristic actual values is a yaw rate and one of the setpoint values is assigned to the yaw rate.
 8. The device of claim 6, wherein one of the characteristic actual values is a float angle and one of the setpoint values is assigned to the float angle.
 9. The device of claim 6, further comprising: an arrangement to measure a roll angle and the roll angle is one of the characteristic actual values that is characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle.
 10. The device of claim 6, further comprising: an arrangement to measure a vehicle speed; and an arrangement to measure a steering angle; wherein the setpoint values are determined from input values of the vehicle speed and the steering angle.
 11. The device of claim 6, further comprising: an arrangement to influence at least one of a braking system and an engine; wherein the characteristic actual values are influenced by at least one of a braking intervention and an engine intervention.
 12. The device of claim 6, further comprising: an actuator, wherein a roll angle is influenced by the actuator.
 13. The device of claim 6, further comprising: roll regulation devices configured for a tractor vehicle and one of a trailer and a semitrailer in a vehicle combination.
 14. A method of stabilizing a vehicle, comprising: recording characteristic actual values that correspond to a driving condition of a vehicle; determining setpoint values that are at least partially assigned to the characteristic actual values; comparing the characteristic actual values and the setpoint values; and influencing the characteristic actual values based on comparison results; wherein one of the characteristic actual values is characteristic of a roll state of the vehicle, and one of the setpoint values is assigned to one of the characteristic actual values that is characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle, and wherein a pressure change in an air spring of the vehicle is one of the characteristic actual values that is characteristic of the roll state of the vehicle, and wherein one of the characteristic actual values is a yaw rate and one of the setpoint values is assigned to the yaw rate. 